Because it’s still early January (in my opinion at least), I’m compelled to share this photo for #ThrowbackThursday.

Grandma and Papa Radford

It’s my favourite photo of my paternal grandparents. Grandma’s birthday was January 3 and every year I think of her; this year was no different. Her birthday was always the final party for my father’s family during the holidays. My father is one of three children, so they each took a day to host – Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and Grandma’s birthday. Grandma’s birthday was our evening to have everyone over and it was a nice way to finish off the holidays.

This photo was taken before I was born during a family trip to Disney World that involved my grandparents, my parents and brother, and my uncle (Dad’s brother), aunt and their three children.

There’s just something about this photo that I love. It’s a casual in-the-moment photo. Something you can’t catch if you try too hard. And this was back in the late 1970s, so there was no digital cheating or retaking available.

At first glance, I feel like the photo is from an old movie. I imagine Papa is a smooth talking stranger who happens to notice Grandma and starts chatting her up.

Imagine what they were discussing. The weather? What to eat for lunch? Reflecting on how nice it was to be on vacation with some of their children and grandchildren? Who knows.

My grandfather passed away when I was only four years old, so my memories of him are very limited. I really only have two that I can recall and even those are pretty fuzzy, but I cherish them.

My grandmother was a tough o’l bird and someone you didn’t mess with. She was with us until my last year of high school. Being the youngest of her grandchildren, she never did get to see me graduate. She also passed away just a couple of months before her first great-grandchild was born, but she was always very proud of her “nine perfect grand children”. No doubt she would be very pleased with her 13 fabulous great-grandchildren that our family now has.

More photos like these to come down the road. I plan to raid my parents’ old photo albums in the coming months.

So first off, I’ve been sick for the past few days and missed another Mommy Musing Monday post, but I’ll make up for that in the new year. Sometimes life and ill health happens.

Like most New Year’s Eves, it’s time for the usual reflection on the past year. I’m not one for setting resolutions exactly. I like to think of them as annual goals. Not full on SMART goals, but things I can realistically try to achieve within the 12 months ahead.

If you’re Canadian and French was taught at your school (which is pretty much every school since I think they all had at least core French), then this time of year you would have heard the infamous song C’est l’Halloween.

I love that a CBC Music post from last year is floating around Facebook this week. It brings back an air of nostalgia where you can’t help but sing along enthusiastically when the song’s chorus starts.

Growing up, I always enjoyed Halloween. Whether I went trick or treating in Kilbride when we lived there, or in Cowan Heights after we moved; it was always so much fun.

One tradition I loved was going to my aunt and uncle’s house where we’d trick or treat in the neighbourhood and then go back to their house and enjoy some treats with family.

This is from the early 90s… not sure what year. But aren’t we so cute?!

Based on how little my cousin Adam is, I think this photo is from 1987. So much cuteness!

Halloween in Newfoundland and Labrador often included costumes that were either extra big so that you could wear a snow suit underneath, or sometimes you incorporated your extra layers of clothes into your costume.

I mean, we didn’t have snow every year, but wow – it was pretty cold some years! Yet in the name of candy and the desire for a sugar high, it never did stop us and it certainly doesn’t stop kids today!

This year, we’re giving out some mini candy bars, but for the younger kiddos, we’re handing out little Halloween bags that have a Rocket and two mini Play-Dohs. Lots of candy will be acquired tonight, so I like the idea of giving something that will not simply give a sugar rush (OK so the Rocket will be guilty of that), but the Play-Doh is something fun.

I want to read about…

I want to read about…

Been there, done that

Been there, done that

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